The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global public health problem that has affected the globe in different ways. There is little information published on the challenges and lessons learnt in responding to the COVID-19 epidemic in Zambia. Objective: To establish Zambia's response, lessons and the challenges experienced in the fight against COVID-19. Results: Since the emergence of COVID-19, Zambia has experienced three waves, with the third wave being the most severe. The Zambian government responded positively and effectively to all three pandemics with the help of cooperating partners. Zambia adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended prevention methods such as hand hygiene, masking up in public, physical distancing, avoiding crowded areas and staying at home to prevent the further spread of the disease. Additionally, surveillance of COVID-19 was strengthened, which led to the early detection of cases. Besides, there has been a strong call for all Zambian adults to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as a way of controlling the epidemic. However, since the launch of the COVID-19 vaccination programs, there has been a high level of vaccine hesitancy, causing Zambia to fall below the 10% of the adult population required to be vaccinated. Conclusion: The Zambian government put in place effective strategies in the fight against COVID-19. However, a lack of resources, misinformation, myths and vaccine hesitancy posed challenges in the fight against COVID-19 in Zambia. There is a need for continuous public education and sensitization on COVID-19
Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious global health problem that has negatively impacted the mental health of students.Methods: We conducted an online descriptive cross-sectional study among 273 undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Zambia from August to September 2020. A partial proportional odds regression model was used to determine the predictors of anxiety. All statistical tests were set at 95% confidence level (p<0.05).Results: A response rate of 70% was obtained with the majority of the students being female 51.6%. Of the 273 respondents, 23.8% did not experience anxiety, 34.4% experienced mild anxiety, 24.9% experienced moderate anxiety while 16.9% experienced severe anxiety about COVID-19. It was also found that 61.2% of students reported that their attention to mental health increased during the COVID-19 pandemic whereas 44.3% reported an increased resting time with a significant reduction in relaxation 51.3% and physical activity 45.4% time. Factors that affected mental health included; reduced family care (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.09-4.74), not changing attention to mental health (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.18-0.62), being in the final year of study (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.84), reduced time of resting (OR: 2.10; 95% CI: 1.26-3.50) and feeling helpless (OR: 0.42; 95% CI:0.23-0.75).Conclusions: COVID-19 negatively impacted the mental health and physical activity of pharmacy students at the University of Zambia. This can have negative health and academic outcomes for students going forward. Higher learning institutions and key stakeholders should implement measures to aid students to recover from the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health and physical activity.
Background: COVID-19 is a novel disease that has spread to nearly every country worldwide. Medical laboratory professionals are key in the fight against COVID-19 as they provide confirmatory diagnosis which is the main basis upon which cases are identified and clinical management instituted. Lack of knowledge, poor attitude and unsafe laboratory practices could have negative implications towards the control of COVID-19. We conducted a quick online questionnaire to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of medical laboratory personnel regarding COVID-19 in Zambia. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study among medical laboratory professionals in Zambia from 10th to 29th June, 2020. Data were collected using google forms and exported to SPSS version 23 for statistical analysis. Independent predictors of COVID-19 knowledge and practices were determined. Adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals are reported. Results: A total of 208 medical laboratory professionals participated in the study. There were more males (58.2%) than females. The majority of respondents had good knowledge (84.1%) and practice (75%) regarding COVID-19. Less than half (n=97, 46.6%) reported willingness to participate in a vaccination program. Predictors of good knowledge included; having a Bachelors degree (AOR: 5.0, CI: 1.15-23.9) and having prior COVID-19 related training (AOR: 8.83, CI: 2.03-38.4). Predictors of good practice included; having a masters or PhD qualification (AOR: 5.23, CI: 1.15-23.9) and having prior COVID-19 related training (AOR: 14.01, CI: 6.47-30.4). Conclusion: Our findings revealed that medical laboratory professionals in Zambia have good knowledge and positive attitude towards COVID-19. However poor practices were observed There is need for continuous professional development (CPD) to ensure that medical laboratory professionals are well informed and aware of best practices to aid in curbing the pandemic. Key words: COVID-19, medical laboratory professions, knowledge, attitude, practice
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